Senior Mechanical Engineer

Construction Innovations, LLC; Mather (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Construction Innovations, LLC seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to develop and validate high-performance mechanical systems for solar projects. You will lead large design efforts, produce 2D/3D CAD models, and work with manufacturing to optimize cost, reliability, and quality.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in 3D CAD with SolidWorks or Inventor, 6+ years in solar design, and an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering degree. EIT/PE preferred. Office in Sacramento/Mather with plant visits.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited mechanical engineering degree required.
• 10+ years’ experience in 3D CAD modeling (SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar).
• 6+ years in utility or commercial-scale solar design and implementation.
• 4+ years’ experience in 3D CAD modeling using SolidWorks/Inventor.
• Understanding of schematics, wiring drawings, and shop drawings.
• Strong design-for-manufacturing knowledge.
• Engineer-In-Training or PE license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review project scope and design specs and participate in kickoff meetings.
• Create detailed 2D & 3D mechanical designs from drawings and requirements.
• Coordinate with manufacturing for capabilities and best practices.
• Lead design tasks and schedules and manage changes through ECR/ECN.
• Prepare documentation for data presentation and test results.
• Support manufacturing to resolve production issues.
• Validate designs with calculations and FEA tools.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

Solar design

Design for manufacturing

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Engineer-in-Training / PE preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

Job description

OVERVIEW:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer is responsible for developing, analyzing, validating, and improving mechanical designs to ensure products meet project requirements, manufacturing capabilities, performance expectations, and applicable industry standards. Working collaboratively with cross-functional teams - including manufacturing, customers, and vendors - the Senior Mechanical Engineer helps drive continuous improvement through design standardization, process enhancements, and effective engineering change management to support reliable, cost-effective, and high-performance products.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review project scope and design specifications and participate in design kickoff meetings.
• Utilize engineered drawings, specifications, design criteria, and vendor shop drawings to develop detailed manufacturing drawings.
• Continuously coordinate with the manufacturing team regarding capabilities and best practices for manufacturing.
• Participate in the creation and maintenance of design tasks and schedules regularly.
• Incorporate manufacturing feedback into designs through the Engineering Change process and effective communication with other stakeholders.
• Create detailed 2D & 3D mechanical designs based on internal/external drawings, specifications, and product requirements.
• Utilize mechanical engineering skills to solve technical problems, achieving gains in cost, reliability, and product performance.
• Prepare clear and concise documentation for presentation of data and test results.
• Support the manufacturing team to resolve issues experienced during the manufacture of designed products.
• Validate design through application of engineering calculations, FEA Tools, design standards, and industry best practices.
• Create Item numbers and Descriptions.
• Participate in all parts of the R&D process (concept design, prototyping, product testing and validation, etc.).
• Develop and maintain departmental work instructions and procedures to implement best practices and ensure quality in all steps.
• Serve as an Admin for design programs to aid in the development of workflows.
• Independently lead and execute large design projects with minimal to no supervision.
• Review peers’ drawings in a Release for Manufacturing capacity.
• Approve and Assign Design Criteria and Engineering Changes.
• Create comprehensive testing plans.
• Provide training for team members.
• Initiate, lead, and develop new ideas and programs that will improve and accelerate the design process.
• Provide Leadership and Technical Support toward Company Strategic Initiatives.10+ years’ professional work experience in 3D modeling with CAD programs such as SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar software.
• 6+ years’ experience in utility or commercial-scale solar design and implementation is required.

DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering required from an ABET-accredited institution.
• 4+ years’ professional work experience in 3D modeling with CAD programs such as SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar software.
• Understanding of design drawings such as schematics, point-to-point wiring, and shop drawings required.
• Solid understanding of design for manufacturing concepts.
• Engineer-In-Training Certification and/or Professional Engineer license is preferred.
• Ability to understand instructions in written, oral, and diagram formats.
• Knowledge of utility or commercial-scale solar design and implementation is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Regularly required to sit for long and short periods of time.
• Regularly required to talk to communicate detailed, important, and accurate instructions to internal and external customers.
• Regularly required to walk for long and short distances.
• Frequently required to stand for long and short periods of time.
• Occasionally required to bend or twist at the neck and torso.
• Occasionally required to crouch, squat, stoop, or kneel.
• Occasionally required to reach forward, grab, grasp, pinch, and handle material and tools using upper extremities.
• Required to have visual acuity with or without correction to inspect products before and after installation.
• Constantly required to hear sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to hear detailed information and distinguish sounds to avoid hazards.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer spends most of their time in an office environment but will frequently spend time at the company’s manufacturing plant, or occasionally at the project site. The office is an open and collaborative space where work is performed both independently and with the team. When at the plant, work is performed in a more traditional manufacturing environment, with higher noise levels and frequent movement of people and equipment. When on-site, the environment is that of a construction job site, which may be in fairly remote rural locations, and where extreme weather conditions may be encountered.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

This position reports to the Engineering Manager or Supervisor.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT:

Career advancement at Construction Innovations is possible with all positions, but is not guaranteed. Advancement could be within the current department or to other departments within the company.

LOCATION:

Construction Innovations facilities and offices are located in Sacramento, CA and Mather, CA.

COMPENSATION:

Construction Innovations pays hourly/salary rates commensurate with each employee’s knowledge, experience, and skill level.

EOE